Chapter 26: Not Leaving?

You're driving now, so your future husband has nothing to do, huh?

Liuli also laughed.

You're driving too, aren't you? Cousin said he'd send you, but you refused, yet this busy guy still picks you up and drops you off every time—he's being unusually good to you! Moreover, he specially prepared such a large walk-in closet for you!

What is it that's prepared for me?

Liuli asked, confused.

You're still pretending to be clueless! That huge room is filled with limited-edition items bought just for you—the kind you can't even buy outside! He hasn't even bought me anything!!

Isn't that room prepared for the woman he brought back?

Liuli thought that and asked.

Of course not!!!

Zi Han poked her head in frustration.

How do you know it's not?

You're going to make me die of anger; I don't want to talk to you!

Zi Han could imagine how Gu Die felt, smoking furiously from her anger.

We've arrived, get out.

Zi Han ignored Liuli, got out, and started looking around for Cheng Li's figure.

She never forgets a handsome guy.

But after looking for a while, she didn't see the guy from the photo.

Liuli didn't know what she was looking for, nor did she ask.

Zi Han followed Liuli to Uncle's barbecue stall; after all, she was the Young Mistress of the Gu Family, and Zi Han couldn't understand why Liuli would come to such a place.

Why are you here?

Zi Han stood still, not wanting to take another step—could it be she wants to have another meal here?

It was you who wanted to come along; I even asked you, and you said you were sure.

Liuli replied indifferently; Zi Han is not like Yu Ke—she can't get used to this kind of place.

Can I still back out now?

You can.

Liuli, you came so early!

Zi Han was about to turn and leave when she heard a pleasant male voice.

Cheng Li, as usual, naturally put his arm around Liuli's shoulder.

Zi Han ran up to Liuli and Cheng Li, wondering if the guy before her was the one in the photo, and remembered she still had a mission.

As soon as she saw Cheng Li, Zi Han couldn't take her eyes off him—the guy before her had dark brown hair, a fair and handsome face, was tall, and was far more handsome than the photo.

What, aren't you leaving?

Liuli asked.

Who said we're leaving?

If we don't leave, we have to stay and help—this isn't just for fun.

It's just helping—what's the big deal?

You said that yourself, Cheng Li—did you hear that?

Cheng Li nodded.

This is Gu Die's cousin, Luo Zi Han.

Liuli saw Cheng Li looking confused about who was in front of him, so she introduced Zi Han to him.

Hello.

Zi Han extended her hand.

Cheng Li.

Cheng Li shook hands.

Why are you two here again?

Uncle saw them and asked.

We didn't have enough fun yesterday, so we're coming again today.

Liuli walked over and linked arms with Uncle.

Still not had enough fun?

Uncle laughed loudly.

How so? Uncle, we did pretty well yesterday!

Liuli said proudly.

Good! Of course it's good! Nothing you do is bad!

As for Cheng Li, I wouldn't know.

Do you look down on me?

Even Cheng Li, lying down, got shot.

No! Hey Uncle, this is Zi Han—she said she'd come to help!

Liuli didn't forget to introduce Zi Han to Uncle.

Hello, Uncle!

Zi Han called out sweetly.

Hello! Uncle answered her while whispering to Liuli, "Where did this young lady come from? She's worn me out—I can't handle her!"

Uncle, don't worry, I've got it!

Cheng Li saw Uncle and Liuli whispering, reached out and tapped Liuli on the head.

Why won't you let anyone listen?

Cheng Li! Are you asking for a beating?

No! Don't get angry.

Liuli glared at him, and Cheng Li backed down.

Seeing Cheng Li so afraid of Liuli, Zi Han also found it funny.

Gu Die probably sent her to approach Cheng Li because she can't stand seeing Liuli so close with other guys.

But she could tell at a glance that Liuli and Cheng Li were just friends, with no romance, and she couldn't understand why Gu Die couldn't see that.

Zi Han, it's really you!

Bai Xu recognized her at once by Zi Han's crabapple‑colored hair.

Bai Xu? How did you come too?

Zi Han asked, puzzled.

I was going to ask you—you're not abroad, when did you come back?

I came back yesterday.

I had time to come hang out at my place, but it's because your stubborn cousin made me come help my sister‑in‑law, so I can't even go to my own bar.

Bai Xu complained to Zi Han in a low voice.

"That figures—it's just the kind of thing he'd do," Zi Han laughed.

Having Gu Die send all her best friends to help shows how important she is to him.

Why are you here too?

I came to help!

You? Can you actually help?

Bai Xu asked doubtfully.

Of course!

Cheng Li, let's go get some skewers.

Okay.

Seeing Bai Xu and Zi Han chatting happily, Liuli only called out to Cheng Li.

Uncle, just go rest in your room.

Okay, no matter how big the trouble, don't call me!

Uncle joked.

Even if the sky falls, you don't need to worry.

Uncle went back to his room grinning; frankly, he'd run this barbecue joint for so many years and never really had a proper rest.

Now that Liuli and Cheng Li have grown up and know how to care for others, he can finally take a break.

Seeing Cheng Li and Liuli go for skewers, Bai Xu and Zi Han followed.

Bai Xu was fine, but Zi Han—she's never done anything like this before.

Afraid the skewer would prick her hand, she was extra careful.

Maybe you shouldn't do it.

Bai Xu really worried she wouldn't be able to help and might hurt her precious hands.

What kind of joke is that?!

Zi Han retorted.

Then don't yell later.

Am I the type to bawl and scream?

Probably.

Bai Xu replied.

Bai Xu, after all this time apart, I'm not the old Zi Han anymore!

Zi Han said indignantly.

In front of Cheng Li, she didn't want to lose face, after all she'd just said she could help.

Sorry everyone! I'm late!

Yu Ke came running in a panic.

Not late, have a seat and rest a moment.

Seeing her panting, Liuli said.

Coming this late and you still want to rest?

Cheng Li countered.

How come you get to speak everywhere?

Alright.

Liuli looked at Cheng Li and said.

The traffic was terrible, so I got out of the car and ran all the way here—I'm exhausted.

Yu Ke said this while gulping down the water on the table.

How did we get an extra person?

Yu Ke, seeing Zi Han for the first time, asked.

This is Zihan, Gu Die's cousin.

Hello.

Zihan greeted Yu Ke.

I'm Su Yu Ke; just call me Yu Ke.

Okay.

Yu Ke rested a moment and then helped skewer the barbecue.

Zihan had barely skewered a few when her hand blistered, but she endured it without saying anything.

Until Cheng Li nearby noticed.

What happened to your hand?

Cheng Li asked Zihan.

Nothing.

Liuli and the others all turned their gaze to Zihan's hand.

Cheng Li, go put some medicine on her.

Liuli saw that several big blisters had formed between Zihan's fingers and quickly had Cheng Li apply medicine.

Although Zihan's hand was blistered, she felt happy inside, after all it was Cheng Li applying the medicine, giving her a chance to get close to him.

Cheng Li applied the medicine while blowing on her wound with his mouth; Zihan, up close, saw his long eyelashes and high nose bridge.

She secretly rejoiced that Gu Die would let her help with this.

Does it hurt?

It doesn't hurt.

Zihan said with a smile.

When Zihan doesn't smile, she's like a goddess; when she smiles, her two cute tiger teeth make her look like a child.

You don't need to work anymore; we can handle it.

I can still do other things.

Looks like you can't do anything else; all you can do is eat.

Cheng Li said with a smile.

Then that's fine.

Zihan looked at her hand, somewhat blaming herself for being so delicate.

Liuli secretly glanced at Cheng Li and Zihan, revealing an aunt-like smile.

These two have good backgrounds and good looks; they seem like a perfect match no matter how you look at them.

But she feels that she and Gu Die are utterly mismatched, yet they ended up married by a twist of fate.

Gurgle—gurgle—

Hearing someone's stomach growl, Liuli snapped back to her thoughts.

"I rushed out this morning and didn't eat," Yu Ke said embarrassedly.

I'll go buy you breakfast.

Bai Xu said, washed his hands, and then went to the nearby stall to buy breakfast for Yu Ke.

Liuli always felt like she'd been fed several rounds of dog food today.

Bai Xu's family background is actually not very good; he's an orphan.

Without Gu Die's help, he wouldn't be where he is today, just as Liuli wouldn't be where she is without Cheng Li.

Gu Die is the same age as him; they've known each other for seven or eight years. At first, Bai Xu didn't know what to do, drifting around all day by himself.

Some kids mocked him as a beggar, throwing things at him; Bai Xu didn't care what others said, lacking the energy to think about it, and each day he only thought about how to survive.

But later, Gu Die saw people giving him cold looks and bullying him, so he began to protect him.

Because Gu Die knows what it feels like to be met with cold stares and ridicule.

Having suffered such injustice himself, he doesn't want others to go through it again; Bai Xu bears his likeness.

He protects Bai Xu, just as Si Yun once protected him.

Bai Xu had no money for school, so Gu Die approached Gu Qing for sponsorship; after the Si Yun incident, Gu Die finally managed to ask him once, and Gu Qing agreed.

Over the years, Bai Xu did all kinds of part-time jobs, big and small; later he asked Gu Die for a loan to open a bar.

After business picked up, he quickly recouped all the money, and the earnings he made were all returned to the Gu family.

Gu Die knew that the money he gave could not be refused.

Since he wants to repay and is able to, let him do so.

Bai Xu brought breakfast; after Yu Ke finished eating, she then thanked him.

She was indeed very hungry, just focused on eating.

Although Zihan had nothing to do, she always stuck close to Cheng Li, not leaving his side.

Cheng Li also felt awkward saying anything to her, since they had only just met.

He couldn't understand why she kept following him.

Soon, noon arrived; Zihan followed Cheng Li to greet customers, Bai Xu handled the bill, and Yu Ke helped Liuli.